Taur Matan Ruak

Jose Maria Vasconcelos (10 October 1956-), better known by his nom de guerre of Taur Matan Ruak, was President of East Timor from 20 May 2012, succeeding Jose Ramos-Horta and the last commander of FALINTIL.

Biography
Jose Maria Vasconcelos was born on 10 October 1956 in Baguia, Portuguese Timor to a Catholic family, and in 1975 he joined FALINTIL after Indonesia occupied East Timor with the nom de guerre of "Taur Matan Ruak". Ruak took part in commando operations against the Indonesian Army during the Indonesian occupation of East Timor, and from 11 March 1998 to 20 May 2002 he commanded FALINTIL against the Indonesians as its commander-in-chief after Nino Konis Santana's death. Upon Timorese independence in 2002, he became Chief of the Army and was promoted to Major-General in 2009. His fame as a freedom fighter led to his election as President of East Timor on 20 May 2012.